I haven’t done a lot of painting over the last few weeks, but when I finally returned to the studio, I found one that pleased me:

Growing Up, Oil on board, 12 x 16

And there was another that I tinkered with:

The Stream, Oil on board, 12 x 16

And then I actually painted a new one:

This one is called Where I sometimes Live (oil on board, 12 x 16) and I think it has something to do with my enforced withdrawal from the world this last week.

Oh and the very best thing of all: Tuesday I delivered my neighbor’s painting to her. Carol told me her apartment building would make a great painting and so, in return for the idea, I presented her with a painting of Wellesley Court. Here she is, with the painting.

6 Responses to Paintings: Growth, Stream, Where I Live, and a neighbor

I too liked (and was a bit surprised by) Growing Up. This was one of those abstracts that sometimes come out of me when I’ve just reached a precise stage of exhaustion where thinking isn’t possible but I can still paint. Sometimes the paintings from that brain-dead state are worthless, but occasionally, something happens that I really like when I look at it the next day. “Growing Up” is one of those. And Del, it’s kin to “Farmland,” a piece you have some knowledge of.

The human figure was also a surprise to me — this was a paint-over, which left the residue of color underneath that could be enhanced. And I needed some focus and was fussing over figures (the term, I’m told, is “staffage”), so out came this particular creature. It’s an adaptation of something from a book. Finally, Lynn, you are right about “Where I Sometimes Live.” It was the first painting I did when I came back from my week in bed, and it just felt right. Not magnificent, but somehow correct for how I felt.

Thank you again for all your comments. Oh and Sheila, I am too close to The Stream to figure out how to continue to tinker with it. But it’s on the shelf for later perusal. I won’t overpaint it just yet.

Each painting is very powerful. ‘Growing Up’ is delightful. ‘The Stream’ surprisingly caused a visceral reaction which carried me back 27 years to a specific place and time. ‘Where I Sometimes Live’ gives me the impression that you are well protected in that place you sometimes go. Thanks, June.